Wasteful Fidelity Overcome Fellow FSSL Newboys POSB

POSB………. (1) 2

Fidelity………. (2)4

A wasteful Fidelity Life team weathered a comeback bid by POSB to clinch their second win of the season, in a league match pitting two of the four new FSSL teams. The match was played at Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College on the 1^st of June 2019 with POSB being the home team. Clad in a black and white strip, Fidelity were the dominant side in the opening stages of the game, and in one of their early forays, the POSB goalkeeper missed the ball after a tricky cross was flighted into the goal area but the follow up effort by the visiting team was wasted. Fidelity soon earned a free kick on the right flank and Tatenda Chinyerere’s effort was punched back into play, only for Happymore Mhlanga to shoot wide with the goal at his mercy. Justice Mamhosva continued Fidelity’s wasteful streak barely a minute later when he missed two clear chances in quick succession. Fidelity continued to command the lion’s share of possession and play was largely restricted to the POSB half, with most of the visiting team’s moves being orchestrated from the right flank where Chinyerere was a constant threat with his mazy runs and inviting crosses that however found no takers.

In the 15^th minute, Chinyerere broke clear through the middle and was fouled by POSB goalkeeper Onismas Shamba and the referee duly awarded a penalty. Up stepped Justice Mamhosva to give Fidelity – captained by McMillan Makuvise – the lead. There appeared to be no end in sight to the visitors’ bluntness in the final third, with Tinotenda Gwenzi  also being the a culprit who on at least two occasions was too elaborate in front of goal when first time shots would have sufficed, much to the chagrin of his gaffer Robert Mugonera who was assisted by Elias.

The Fidelity strike partnership however made amends in the 27^th minute when Mamhosva combined well with Chinyerere, who tapped in the second goal to give Fidelity a 2-0 lead.  Chinyerere however shortly thereafter limped off the pitch with an ankle injury but was able to continue after receiving some treatment.

Against the run of play, lanky POSB gunman Michael Manyanye somehow muscled into a scoring position to reduce the arrears in the 38^th minute, despite the close attention of three Fidelity defenders.

After the restart, POSB’S hopes of reducing the arrears appeared to be dashed when in the 52^nd minute Mamhosva, who was also always threatening on the left flanked was pulled down in the box as he prepared to pull the trigger, earning his side their second penalty of the afternoon.  The resultant set piece was taken in an unconventional manner; instead of shooting at goal, Chinyerere passed the ball to Mamhosva, who slotted home and the goal was allowed to stand despite protests from POSB players. Having come back from the breather a renewed side, POSB, under the guidance of player-coach Leeroy Jera, took the game to Fidelity in an effort to reduce the arrears. Their efforts paid off when Troubles Masiiwa handled the ball under pressure and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Samson Sangweni, who was outstanding for the home team, converted the resulting spot kick to give POSB the belief that they could overturn the deficit. Mamhosva could have made it 4-2 in favour of Fidelity but Shamba punched the ball back into play, only for the rebound to find no takers.

Gapare, a livewire midfielder and a darling of the Fidelity faithful who normally partners Tinotenda Gwenzi in the middle of the park, arrived just in time to be thrown into the fray with a few minutes remaining on the dial. He exhibited some brilliant  flashes which however yielded little although they illuminated the match. Fidelity’s fourth and final goal was fashioned from the left flank when Mamhosva made a spirited solo run and crossed for James “Kedha” Simboti who tapped in to make it 4-2 with virtually the last move of the game, to cap a fine afternoon for him and send the vocal band of Fidelity’s supporters into delirium. For his consistency and commanding presence in the left back position throughout the match, Kedha was MFSB Sport’s Man of the Match.

Following this win, Fidelity moved up two places from 11^th to 9^th position on the league table. Although they remain without a win and stuck at the bottom of the log, POSB proved that they are not a bad team and if they continue working hard, their fortunes will soon turn. From what MFSB Sport observed during their post-match team talk, they appear to have the determination to do better although results have not been coming their way.

Class 2 referee Christopher Chinowanisa handled the match, assisted by Advance Munokori.

POSB: Onismas Shamba, Filbert Chinhengo, Andrew Murikitiko, Samson Sangweni, Malvern Dzukutu, Tinashe Billy Bere, Simbarashe Dziike, Leeroy Jera, Alfred Tatenda Gomo,  Hupenyu Chandaengerwa, Michael Manyanye, Archibold Takaendesa, Wellington Mupatsi, Aldridge Tinotenda Dirwai, Simbarashe Chaza.

Fidelity: Kudzai Zhanje, Francis Zhara, MacMillan Makuvise, Emmanuel Govo, James “Kedha” Simboti, Tinotenda Gwenzi, Adomus Mutambirwa, Happymore Mhlanga, Troubles Masiiwa, Justice Mamhosva, Tatenda Chinyerere, Phillip Chimuriwo, Joseph Nyamushonongora. ©MFSB Sport

Please get in touch on info@soundgarden.co.zw to comment on this story.